The Instant Pot Delay Start allows you to program the unit to begin cooking at a future time. This comes in handy if you want your food to be ready at a certain time, e.g. when you wake up or when you get home from work. Learn how to set the timer on the Instant Pot, with instructions for every Instant Pot model.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.

What is the Instant Pot Delay Start / Timer?

Every Instant Pot has a button or function called Delay Start. On some (older) models, the same function is called the Timer. The Instant Pot Timer or Delay Start allows you to program the Instant Pot to begin cooking from 10 minutes to 24 hours from the present time.

The Delay Start option does NOT apply to Keep Warm, Saute, Sous Vide, Yogurt, or Air Fryer smart programs.

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Why Would you Use Delay Start?

Here are some of the types of Instant Pot delay start recipes:

• Preparing steel-cut oats in the Instant Pot the night before and programming Delay Start so the Instant Pot turns on in the morning.
• Preparing ingredients in the Instant Pot in the morning, and setting the Delay Start program to begin cooking before you get home from work.
• Soaking rice and setting Delay Start to begin cooking the rice 15 minutes later.
• Soaking beans and setting Delay Start to begin cooking the beans 6 to 8 hours later.
• [Note: If you like to drain the water that you soaked the beans in, this option may not apply to you.]

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Is Delay Start Safe to Use?

Regarding food safety, for most foods, up to 2 hours delay start should be pretty safe if your house isn’t overly warm. According to the USDA’s food safety guidelines:

Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40° and 140°F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the ‘Danger Zone’.

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

The USDA advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, food should not be left out for more than 1 hour. This applies to any foods that are perishable and need to be refrigerated. So not just meat, poultry, and eggs but even produce.

That being said, I know of people who do cook perishable foods using delay start but use ice instead of water in the inner pot. I haven’t tried it and cannot attest to the safety of this method!

So what can you cook in the Instant Pot safely with delay start set to more than 2 hours? Any foods that are non-perishable and don’t need to be refrigerated can be safely cooked this way.

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Instant Pot Lux Delay Start

Here are the directions for Instant Pot Lux delay start:

1. Press Manual or Pressure Cook (or another button e.g. Soup/Broth).
2. Press + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

On some models of the Instant Pot Lux, the Pressure Cook button is called Manual and the Delay Start is called Timer. They are the same thing.

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Instant Pot Duo Delay Start

Here are the instructions for Instant Pot Duo delay start:

1. Press Manual or Pressure Cook (or another button e.g. Soup/Broth).
2. Press + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

On some models of the Instant Pot Duo, the Pressure Cook button is called Manual and the Delay Start is called Timer. They are the same thing.

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Instant Pot Duo Gourmet Delay Start

Here are the directions for Instant Pot Duo Gourmet delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook (or another button e.g. Soup/Broth or Stew).
2. Press + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Duo Nova Delay Start

Here are the instructions for Instant Pot Duo Nova delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook (or another button e.g. Soup/Broth or Meat/Stew).
2. Press + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Duo Plus Delay Start

Here are the directions for Instant Pot Duo Plus delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook (or another button e.g. Soup/Broth or Bean/Grain).
2. Press + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Delay Start

Here are the instructions for Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook.
2. Turn the knob to the desired smart program and press the knob to select it.
3. Turn the knob to the desired cook time and press the knob to confirm.
4. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
5. Turn the knob to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
6. Press the knob to confirm.
7. Press Start.
8. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
9. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Duo Crisp Delay Start

Here are the instructions for Instant Pot Duo Crisp delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook.
2. Press Time + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Pro Crisp Delay Start

Here are the instructions for Instant Pot Pro Crisp delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook.
2. Turn the knob to the desired cook time and press the knob to confirm.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Turn the knob to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. Press the knob to confirm.
6. Press Start.
7. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
8. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Max Delay Start

Here are the directions for Instant Pot Max delay start:

Unlike in other models, the Delay Start time on the Max is the actual time you want cooking to begin e.g. to begin cooking at 05:15 PM, set the hours to 5 and the minutes to 15.

1. Touch Pressure Cook.
2. Touch the Hour and turn the knob to set the cook time hours.
3. Touch the Minute and turn the knob to set the cook time minutes.
4. If desired, change the default settings of Pressure, Keep Warm and Venting by touching them repeatedly to toggle the different settings.
5. Touch Delay.
6. Touch the Delay Hour and turn the knob to set the time (hour) you want the cooking to begin at. To adjust AM/PM, turn the knob until the display rolls past 12:00.
7. Touch the Delay Minute and turn the knob to set the time (minutes) you want the cooking to begin at.
8. Touch Start.
9. A second hand will tick around the clock icon next to the delay start time.
10. Once the delay start time has been reached, the display will change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

The Delay setting on the Instant Pot Max is not recommended to be used in conjunction with the auto-venting feature when cooking thick or foamy foods.

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Instant Pot Ultra Delay Start

Here are the directions for Instant Pot Ultra delay start:

1. Turn the knob to Pressure Cook or your desired smart program (e.g. Soup/Broth or Bean/Chili)
2. Press the knob to select the program/function.
3. The cooking time will have a box around it that’s blinking. Press the knob to choose it. Now, the time will be blinking.
4. Turn the knob to change the cook time and press the knob to confirm.
5. Turn the knob to go to the Delay option and press the knob to choose it.
6. Turn the knob to toggle between On and Off. When On is blinking, press the knob to confirm.
7. The time will be blinking. Turn the knob to change the delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now. Press the knob to confirm.
8. Press Start.
9. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
10. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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Instant Pot Smart WiFi Delay Start

Here are the instructions for Instant Pot Smart WiFi delay start:

1. Press Pressure Cook (or another button e.g. Soup/Broth or Bean/Chili).
2. Press + or – to set the desired pressure cooking time.
3. Press Delay Start. The Delay Start light is on when the functionality is enabled.
4. Press + or – to set the desired delay start time e.g. 4:00 to start pressure cooking 4 hours from now.
5. The display will begin to count down e.g. from 4:00 to 0:00.
6. Once the time is up, the display with change to On and pressure cooking will begin.

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If you’ve just purchased the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, this beginner’s manual will help you get started.  This user manual tells you about all the parts, the most important buttons, and functions, and gives you instructions on how to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp for the first time by doing the water test (initial test run). And you’ll also learn how to use air fryer functions using the air fryer lid.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.

Introduction with Video

Is the Duo Crisp the same as an air fryer? Well, it’s more than an air fryer because the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a pressure cooker and air fryer all-in-one. It has a simple display panel, a pressure cooker lid that auto-seals, and a separate lid that allows it to be converted to an air fryer.

If you’ve just purchased the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, follow my Instant Pot Pro Crisp Beginner’s Manual and User Guide. The Pro Crisp has similar features and display panel to the Instant Pot Pro, one of my favorites, and the air fryer capabilities are very similar to this model, the Duo Crisp.

I’ve written a detailed post about what the differences are between the Pro Crisp vs Duo Crisp.

I’ve been using the Duo Crisp a lot and I’ve made Instant Pot air fryer roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts, chicken wings, frozen fries, and even a pound cake. They’ve all turned out excellent. Not a single miss!

If you have trouble seeing the instructional video below, disable your adblocker temporarily and refresh the browser.

Here are some of my other user guides:

• Instant Pot DUO Beginner’s Manual
• Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
• Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
• Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
• Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
• Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
• Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual

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What is an Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot has become so popular in recent years that Instant Pot is being used by some as a generic name for pressure cookers of any brand.

In reality, Instant Pot is the brand name of a multicooker that serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/searing pan, steamer, and warming pot all in one convenient appliance.

Some people use the name Instapot, but the correct name is Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot Company (Instant Brands) started out with one product – the Instant Pot multicooker – and now makes a wide range of kitchen appliances including air fryers, blenders, and toaster ovens.

Although the Instant Pot multicooker has many different functions (aka smart programs), the most commonly used is the Pressure Cook function. Pressure cooking allows you to cook foods at a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp model differs from other models in that it comes with an additional lid that allows you to use the Instant Pot as an air fryer.

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Safety Precautions

Most old-style pressure cooker disasters in the past could be attributed to user error. Instant Pot pressure multicookers are carefully designed to eliminate and avoid most of the potential problems. 

Numerous safety features help reduce common errors. Safety features include pressure sensor technology, lid close detection, lid lock technology, overheat protection and automatic temperature and pressure controls.

Although there are many built-in safety features as explained above, as a user you need to follow common-sense precautions:

1. Don’t touch the hot surfaces, particularly the stainless steel parts. Use the handles to move the Instant Pot or the inner pot.
2. Don’t place the Instant Pot on or close to an electric or gas burner.
3. Don’t move the Instant Pot when it’s under pressure.
4. Don’t fill over ⅔ full.
5. When cooking foods that expand e.g. rice, beans, pasta don’t fill over ½ full.
6. Ensure anti-block shield, float valve, and steam release pipe are clean and not clogged.
7. Don’t open the lid until the float valve is down i.e. the Instant Pot is depressurized.
8. Keep hands and face away from the steam release mechanism.
9. Don’t obstruct the steam release valve when pressure is being released.
10. When quick-releasing frothy foods such as applesauce, oatmeal, pasta, etc. take extra care. It’s best to release pressure in short bursts for these types of foods.
11. Don’t use another Instant Pot model’s lid on the Duo Crisp Instant Pot and vice versa.
12. Don’t cover vents when the air fryer is in use.
13. Only use the original stainless steel inner pot (do not use a ceramic–coated inner pot) when using the air fryer lid.
14. Don’t overfill the air fryer basket and don’t cook oversized foods.
15. Only place the air fryer lid on the enclosed protective pad, when hot. Do not place directly on the countertop.
16. When the air fryer lid is in use, keep hands and face at a safe distance from the air vents due to hot air.

For more information about safety precautions, please read the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer user manual.

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First Thing You Need to Do is Open the Box!

I frequently hear from people who either got the Instant Pot as a gift, or they bought it and are too scared to use it. So let me just say there’s nothing to worry about. The Instant Pot has many layers of built-in safety features!

Besides, if you don’t get it out of the box and try it out, in the event you have a defective unit you might miss the warranty period and be stuck with another useless appliance!

In this guide, I’m going to (virtually) hold your hand and help you get going to the point where you’ll pressure cook your first recipe: water. You’ll also learn how to use air fryer functions with step-by-step instructions. You’ve got this!

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Parts

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How to Use Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker

How Does Pressure Cooking Work?

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp pressure cooker creates a closed environment where steam builds up in a tightly sealed pot. This, in turn, causes the internal temperature to rise and pressure to increase.

Under high pressure, the fiber in the food is tenderized and flavors develop in a very short time. Nutrient-rich steam condenses in the pot instead of evaporating and nutritional value is retained because of the speed of cooking.

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Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker Accessories

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Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker Lid Parts

Pressure Cooker Lid Exterior Parts

• Lid Fins – placed in the lid fin slot of the base unit to prop the lid open
• Steam Release Button  (also referred to as Pressure Release Button or Steam Release Reset Button) – allows a manual release of pressure from the Instant Pot Duo Crisp. The Steam Release Button automatically pops up when the Instant Pot Duo Crisp lid is opened or closed.
• Float Valve – seals in the steam, allowing the Instant Pot to be pressurized
• The Steam Release Valve – a safety mechanism that allows steam to escape and maintains the correct pressure level.  It sits loosely on the lid and can be removed to be cleaned.
• Lid Handle – used to put on and take off the lid.

Steam Release Parts

The steam release consists of:

• Steam release valve – regulates the internal temperature. It is supposed to be wobbly but must be pushed in all the way.
• Steam release pipe – steam travels from the inner pot through the pipe during steam release.

Pressure Cooker Lid Interior Parts

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Sealing Ring

How to Remove the Sealing Ring

• Pull gently on the silicone ring until it detaches from the sealing ring rack.
• Continue to pull the silicone sealing ring out until it is completely separated.

How to Replace the Sealing Ring

• Place the silicone sealing ring on the sealing ring rack.
• Working your way all around, push the sealing ring until it’s firmly seated in the sealing ring rack.
• Make sure no part of the sealing ring is sticking out, or you may have sealing issues and get the Burn Message.
• The first few times, you may find it difficult to remove the sealing ring but after a few uses, it should stretch out a bit.

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Float Valve

You should clean the float valve periodically, especially after cooking frothy or starchy foods.

How to Remove the Float Valve

• While holding the float valve in place on the outside of the lid, remove the float valve’s silicone cap.
• Allow the float valve to fall out from the bottom.
• Be careful not to misplace the silicone cap.

How to Replace the Float Valve

• Thread the float valve through the float valve hole.
• While holding it in place on the exterior of the lid, replace the silicone cover by pushing it onto the float valve on the interior of the lid.

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Anti-Block Shield

You need to clean the anti-block shield periodically, especially after you’ve cooked frothy or starchy foods.

How to Remove and Replace the Anti-block Shield

• The anti-block shield can be hard to remove with your bare hands.
• Use a silicone trivet or a dish towel to push the anti-block shield in an upwards motion.
• Try it from the front or from behind (as shown above in the first image)
• To replace the anti-block shield, push it in until it clicks into place.

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Instant Pot Assembly

Here are the Instant Pot Duo Crisp directions to assemble the base unit, inner pot, condensation collector, and power cord:

Base Unit and Inner Pot

• Make sure the base unit is empty and clean.
• Place the stainless steel inner pot into the base unit.

Condensation Collector

The condensation collector catches any moisture that builds up on the rim. This usually comes from moisture dripping from inside the lid into the rim of the Instant Pot base, when the lid is propped open.

In my experience, the condensation collector rarely fills up but I have found that when I cook pasta, in particular, liquid tends to collect and it can get messy! Get into the habit of checking for liquid in the condensation collector after every use.

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Open and Close the Pressure Cooker Lid

How to Close the Lid

• Place the lid onto the Instant Pot base unit with the arrow mark on the lid lined up with the open lock icon that is above the right corner of the control panel.
• You’ll hear a chime (if the volume is turned on).
• Turn the lid clockwise until the arrow mark on the lid is lined up with the closed lock icon and you’ll hear another chime.
• The lid will be closed.

How to Open the Pressure Cooker Lid

• The lid will not open until all pressure has been released.
• Once the float valve is down, turn the lid counter-clockwise until you hear a chime.
• The arrow on the lid will be lined up with the open lock icon on the base unit.
• Lift the lid to remove it.
• If you feel a slight resistance, wiggle the lid back and forth and the suction should release.

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How to Prop Open the Pressure Cooker Lid

Propping open the lid keeps it out of the way and allows you to use the Instant Pot hands-free.

• Locate the two lid fins on the lid.
• Locate the lid fin slots on the base unit.
• Insert either lid fin into either slot to prop the lid open.

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Commonly Used Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cook Buttons

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp has many buttons that may appear confusing and complicated, but they aren’t. Some of the buttons are used with the pressure cooker lid, and some are used with the air fryer lid and some are used with both.

In this section, I’ll go over directions for the most commonly used buttons and functions (smart programs) used with the pressure cooker lid. This will allow you to get going and be able to use most of this Instant Pot’s pressure cooking capabilities.

Pressure Cook

Pressure Cook is one of the most useful features of the Instant Pot. It’s only used with the presssure cooker lid.

• Press the Pressure Cook button.
• Press the Time + or – buttons to set the pressure cooking time.
• Once the pressure cooking time has been set (e.g. 00:05 for 5 minutes), press the Start button.
• Wait a couple of seconds and the display will change to On.

• The float valve will go from the Down position to the Up position.
• This can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of food you’re cooking and the temperature of the ingredients.

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Saute

The Saute function allows you to saute food in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking, and to reduce the liquid after pressure cooking. I love this function because I don’t need to get out another pan and that helps keep cleanup to a minimum.

• Select the Saute button and press Start.
• The Instant Pot chimes and the display says On.
• Once the desired saute temperature has been reached, the display says Hot.
• Add your food to the inner pot and saute.

To change the Saute temperature:

• Press the Saute button repeatedly to toggle between Lo (low temperature) and Hi (high temperature).

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Cancel

• Press the Cancel button to end any selected function. The Instant Pot display will say OFF.
• This button is used with both the pressure cooker lid and the air fryer lid.

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Start

• Press the Start button to begin any selected smart program.
• This button is used with all the smart programs, whether pressure cooking or not.

Note: Some Instant Pot models don’t have a Start button. Instead, the selected smart program automatically begins a few seconds after it’s selected.

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Keep Warm

The Keep Warm function is useful when you want your food to stay warm after being pressure cooked. Turning on the Keep Warm function allows you keep track of the amount of time since pressure cooking completed. This is useful when you’re doing a natural release.

• Press the Keep Warm button to turn the Keep Warm function on and off.
• After pressing the Keep Warm button, press the Time + and – buttons to change the time you want the Instant Pot to be in Keep Warm mode.
• After pressure cooking is complete, the Keep Warm function starts and the time counts UP by minutes. The display panel shows the elapsed time since the Keep Warm mode began (e.g. 00:02 for 2 minutes or 00:15 for 15 minutes.) If the Cancel button is not pressed, the Instant Pot will turn OFF after 10 hours.
• The Keep Warm function can be used with or without the lid closed. You can also use an optional glass lid for this function. When the Keep Warm function finishes, the cooker beeps and goes into standby mode.
• This button is used only with the pressure cooker lid.

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Other Functions

If you’re interested in the Sous Vide functionality, please read my article on how to use the Instant Pot Sous Vide function.

Steam works very similarly to Pressure Cook. You can steam foods with or without pressure. If you want to steam without pressure, either use a glass lid or set the steam release button to Venting i.e. push down on the stream release knob until it’s locked into place.

Slow Cook allows you to use a glass lid or you can use the pressure cooker lid set to Venting. For this model, the Slow Cook button allows you to set the temperature to Low or High.

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Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker Water Test / Initial Test Run

What is the Water Test?

A water test is done by pressure cooking water for a few minutes. The amount of time varies based on how much water you use.

Why You Should do the Water Test

The initial test run or water test serves two purposes: it familiarizes you with using your new Instant Pot Duo Crisp and it allows you to establish that your Instant Pot is working properly. If you have a defective unit, the water test will identify that and you can get a replacement unit.

You should do a water test before the first use but you can also do it when you’re having problems with the Instant Pot pressurizing. Doing the water test will pinpoint whether there’s something about the recipe that’s causing your sealing issues.

How to do the Initial Test Run / Water Test

• Make sure the sealing ring is properly seated.
• Place the inner pot into the base unit.
• Plug the power cord into an outlet.

• Pour 3 cups of water into the inner pot.
• Close the lid.
• Make sure the steam release button is up. If it isn’t, turn it counter-clockwise to snap it back up.

• Press the Pressure Cook button.
• Press the + or – buttons until the time goes to 00:05 (5 minutes).
• Press the Start button.

• After a couple of seconds, the display will change to On.
• Soon, you’ll hear and see small amounts of steam coming from the top of the lid. This is normal and safe! Just keep your hands and face away from the steam. You might also notice a funny, plastic smell.  Don’t worry – it should go away and it shouldn’t happen again after the first use.
• Once pressure has built up, the float valve will come up.
• After the float valve comes up, the display will change from On to 00:05. This can take a few minutes.
• The display will count down from 00:05 to 00:00.

• When pressure cooking is complete, you’ll hear a series of beeps and the display will show L0:00, which means it’s in Keep Warm mode (if the Keep Warm function is turned on.)
• You can either do a quick release or a natural release. To do a natural release, wait for the float valve to fall on its own. This can take 10 to 30 minutes. [Learn more about all the pressure release methods.]
• In this case, you’ll do a quick release.
• Press the Cancel button. The display will say OFF.
• Press the steam release button until it locks into place. Steam will gush out of the steam release cover. Keep your hands and face away from the steam.

• Once all the steam has been released, the float valve goes down and the Instant Pot is de-pressurized.
• This can take a few minutes.
• Open the lid and prop the lid open.

What to do if the water test fails

If the water test fails and you’re not able to get the Instant Pot to come to pressure, use the following articles to troubleshoot the issue:

• Reasons why your Instant Pot is not Sealing
• Instant Pot Burn Message
• Common Instant Pot Problems
• Instant Pot Tips and FAQs

If you can’t solve your problem, open a support ticket with the Instant Pot company.

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Instant Pot Duo Crisp | How to Use Air Fryer

What is an Air Fryer?

Although it’s called an air fryer, an air fryer does not fry. It does precisely the opposite. It crisps food with little to no oil. And that is what has made air fryers so popular in recent years.

The air fryer was introduced by Philips in 2010 under the trademark AirFryer (one word). Air fryer, on the other hand, has become a generic term for a class of appliances.

How does an air fryer work? The air fryer has a powerful fan that blows hot air all around the food similar to how a convection oven works. Due to the small enclosed space and concentrated heat, the food heats up and cooks very fast.

The advantages of air frying are:

• Very little oil needs to be used
• Food comes out crisp
• Food cooks fast
• Because of the size, air fryers give off less heat

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Introduction to the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid

One of the downsides to using an Instant Pot pressure cooker used to be that you couldn’t get foods to crisp or brown. Well, no more!

Instant Pot has joined the party by introducing an air fryer lid that can be used in conjunction with the Instant Pot, and it’s a game-changer. Now you can pressure cook food in the Instant Pot and use the air fryer lid to crisp up the top.

Or you can use the air fryer lid without having pressure cooked the food, similar to how you would use a traditional air fryer.

Food is placed in a mesh basket, which in turn, is inserted into the inner pot. The air fryer lid is placed on top and it blows superheated air to cook and crisp food. You can cook food from fresh or frozen.

You can also use the air fryer lid to broil food directly in the inner pot i.e. without using a basket, which is akin to broiling the food in the oven. More on that later.

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Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid vs Traditional Air Fryer

The Instant Pot air fryer lid differs from traditional air fryers in a few ways:

INSTANT POT AIR FRYER LID	TRADITIONAL AIR FRYER
• Capacity is limited and larger quantities of food need to be cooked in batches. It’s great for smaller families, singles or couples.	• Many models have a larger capacity than the Instant Pot inner pot, allowing you to cook larger quantities of food.
• Chimes and tells you to turn food halfway through cooking.	• In general, air fryers don’t remind you to turn the food.
• If you plan to purchase an Instant Pot and air fryer in the future, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Air Fryer Lid is a good choice.	• If you don’t have and don’t plan to get an Instant Pot, a standalone air fryer might be a better choice. • If you’re cooking for a large family, a larger capacity air fryer may be your best bet.
• The air fryer lid is heavy, so you need to be careful when you move it, especially when it’s hot. • It’s not suitable for children to operate.	• Since a standalone air fryer sits on your counter, you only need to remove the basket and that makes it easier to take the food out. • Older kids could use some models with supervision.
• The highest temperature you can program is 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which serves most purposes. However, if you have a recipe that calls for a higher temperature, you’ll need to adjust the recipe.	• Many air fryers can go up to a maximum temperature of 450 to 480 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Air Fryer Accessories

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer lid comes with the following accessories:

• Air Fryer Lid – allows the Instant Pot to be used as an air fryer.
• Protective Cooling Pad – used to protect the countertop from the hot heating element of the air fryer lid. Always place the air fryer lid on this base.
• Dehydrating/Broil Tray – used when you’re air frying two levels of food. The tray is placed in the air fryer basket and it sits on a ridge, about halfway up.
• Air Fryer Basket – the basket has vents on the bottom and a ridge on which the dehydrating/broil tray can be placed.
• Air Fryer Basket Base – a raised base that clips onto the air fryer basket.

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Air Fryer Lid Parts

Duo Crisp Air Fryer Lid Exterior Parts

The outside of the Duo Crisp Air Fryer Lid consists of the following parts:

• Lid Fins – fit in the lid fin slot of the base unit for air frying.
• Handle – lifts up and is used to move the lid.
• Air Intake – allows the air to circulate by taking air in.
• Air Vent – allows the air to circulate by pushing air out.

Air Fryer Lid Interior Parts

The inside of the Air Fryer lid consists of the following parts:

• Heating Element – heating coil creates the heat necessary to cook food. Sits below the element cover.
• Element Cover – Protects you from directly coming into contact with the heating element.
• Power Sensor and Connector – makes contact with the base unit to activate the air fryer lid.

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Open and Close the Air Fryer Lid

How to Close the Lid

• Place the lid so that the air fryer lid fins go into the base unit lid fin slots.
• Push down firmly so that the power sensor on the base unit makes contact with the power sensor on the air fryer lid.
• You will hear a chime when the proper connection is made.

How to Open the Air Fryer Lid

• To open the air fryer lid, lift it straight up.
• Place the protective pad, flat side up, on a countertop.
• Always place the hot air fryer lid on the provided protective pad until completely cooled down.

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Ways to Use the Air Fryer Lid

There are three ways in which you can cook using the air fryer lid on your Instant Pot.

1. Directly in the inner pot
2. Using the pot-in-pot method (where food is in an oven-safe dish)
3. Air fryer basket

Directly in the Inner Pot

If you’re cooking something in the Instant Pot directly and want to crisp up the top, you can use the air fryer lid to do that.

e.g. I make Instant Pot macaroni and cheese and once pressure cooking is done, I add a breadcrumb topping and use the air fryer Broil button to brown the top. If I cook a lasagna using the pot-in-pot method, I use the air fryer lid to make it golden-brown and bubbly.

Pot in Pot

If you would like to bake something in a separate oven-proof container, you can place it on a trivet and air fry it or bake it.

e.g. I bake cakes using the air fryer Bake button. They come out really great.

Air Fryer Basket

If you wish to use a traditional air fryer recipe to make crispy foods, you can use the air fryer basket to air fry the foods.

e.g. I make air fryer French fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables using the air fryer basket.

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Air Fryer Basket Assembly

Air Fryer Basket Parts

The air fryer basket is composed of the following parts:

• Air fryer basket base
• Air fryer basket
• Dehydrating / Broil tray

How to Assemble the Basket

• Place the air fryer basket upside down on a stable surface.
• Press the air fryer basket base firmly onto the basket. The teeth on the base should click into the groove on the outside of the basket.

How to Put in the Broil Tray

• Turn the basket right side up.
• Hold the broil tray by the two large holes in the middle and lower the tray into the basket. The broil tray can be used to air fry food on multiple levels.

NOTE: If you put food into the lower level and want to turn it halfway through cooking, removing the broil tray is not easy when there’s food in it.

One hack is to use a pair of bamboo tongs that are used to remove toast from the toaster. Using the tongs allows me to easily remove the tray from the basket.

Some people use a couple of wooden chopsticks to poke into the smaller holes. The size of the holes is perfect for chopsticks to sort of wedge into.

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How to Store the Air Fryer Lid

How to Store the Lid While Hot

• Place the protective pad on a stable uncrowded surface, flat side up.
• Remove the air fryer lid by lifting it up. Avoid direct contact with the heating element.
• Place the lid on the protective pad till it cools down completely.

How to Store the Lid Once Cool

• Once the lid has cooled down, flip the protective pad over so the grooved side is up.
• Line up the back of the air fryer lid with the OPEN on the protective pad and turn the air fryer lid clockwise to the LOCK position.

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Commonly Used Instant Pot Air Fryer Buttons

The air fryer smart programs are circled with a fan icon. They are Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil and Dehydrate.

One thing that’s important to understand is that the smart programs/buttons are all just presets as you have on a microwave. They are preset with optimal times and temperatures. You can use the Air Fry button to accomplish the same thing as the Bake or Broil function.

e.g. the Bake smart program is preset to 365 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 minutes. You can change these settings by using the + and – buttons. Once you change the presets, the Instant Pot will remember the new setting the next time you use that preset.

I will go over the most commonly used air fryer buttons that will allow you to get going and be able to use most of this Instant Pot’s air frying capabilities.

Cancel

Press the Cancel button to stop air frying.

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Start

The Start button needs to be pressed in order to kick off the air fryer.

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Temp

Use the Temp + and – buttons to adjust to the desired temperature. These buttons are pressed once you’ve selected the Air Fry button or one of the other smart functions (e.g. Bake, Broil, etc.)

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Time

Use the Time + and – buttons to adjust to the desired cook time. These buttons are pressed once you’ve selected the Air Fry button or one of the other smart functions (e.g. Bake, Broil, etc.)

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Air Fry

Air Fry smart program defaults to 18 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit but you can change the settings.

Use Air Fry to cook frozen French fries, tater tots, vegetables, mozzarella sticks, etc.. I’ll walk you through with step-by-step instructions on using the Air Fry smart program. All the other smart programs work in a similar way. In this example, we’re cooking French fries.

• Before getting started, make sure the inner pot is in the base unit.
• Liberally coat the broil tray with vegetable oil, to prevent food from sticking. You can also use a refillable oil mister.
• Place food in the inner pot (either directly, in the air fryer basket, or in an oven-safe dish on a trivet).
• Place the air fryer lid on the base unit. You’ll know it’s correctly placed when you hear a chime.

• Press the Air Fry button.
• The display will go from OFF to the default Air Fry time and temperature. This is usually whatever the last programmed settings were.
• Set the desired Temperature and Time by pressing the associated + and – buttons.

• Once the air frying time and temperature have been set (e.g. 00:10 for 10 minutes and 400F for 400 degrees Fahrenheit), press the Start button.
• The air fryer fan will come on and the display will change to On.
• Once the Instant Pot has reached the desired temperature, the display will change from On to the temperature and time you programmed it for (e.g. 00:10 and 400F)

• The time will count down and partway through cooking (in this case 00:05), the air fryer will chime and the display will say Turn Food.
• At any point during the cooking process, you can lift the lid to check on the food, which will temporarily pause the timer and the display will say Lid.

• If you wish to turn the food, lift the air fryer lid and place it on the protective pad. **
• Turn the food using tongs or a spatula.
• Put the lid back on. The air fryer will chime and the timer will continue counting down.

** Lifting the lid pauses the timer for 3 minutes. If within that time, you don’t resume cooking, the air fryer program will be canceled. If you don’t lift the lid when the Turn Food message shows, cooking will automatically continue after 10 seconds.

• The time will continue to count down.
• When there’s 1 minute left, the time will count down in seconds.

• When the time reaches 00:00, the display will say End and you’ll hear a chime.
• Lift the lid and place it on the protective pad. The display will say OFF.
• Use silicone gloves to remove the food.

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Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate

The Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate smart programs all work in the same way as the Air Fry smart program. Press the button, program the temperature and time (if you wish to change the default), and press Start.

Roast – (default 40 minutes, 380 degrees Fahrenheit). Use to roast chicken, steak, or other meats.
Bake – (default 30 minutes, 365 degrees Fahrenheit). Use to bake cakes and anything that you would normally bake in the oven. Check out my air fryer pound cake recipe – it’s so good!
Broil – (default 10 minutes, 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Use to crisp up the top of foods. I use this function to crisp up Teriyaki Chicken Wings, Jamaican Jerk Chicken or Thai Chicken (Gai Yang) after pressure cooking.
Dehydrate – (default 6 hours, 125 degrees Fahrenheit). Use to dehydrate foods to make fruit leather, beef jerky, or veggie chips.

The Air Fry and Roast buttons give you the message Turn Food halfway through the cooking cycle. The other functions don’t have that message.

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Instant Pot Duo Crisp Error Codes

If your Instant Pot Duo Crisp display screen starts blinking with an error code, here are the common codes and how to troubleshoot them.

Instant Pot Error Codes:

ERROR CODE	PROBLEM	SOLUTION
Lid	Lid is not in the correct position for the selected program	Make sure the lid has been turned clockwise all the way when pressure cooking, and make sure the lid is NOT on for Saute function
	The wrong lid is being used for the selected program.	Make sure the air fryer lid is being used for the air fryer smart program and the pressure cooking lid is being used for pressure cooking smart programs.
Food Burn	High temperature detected at bottom of inner pot	Find out why you’re getting the Food Burn message and follow the directions on how to fix it.
PrSE	Pressure has accumulated during a non-pressure cooking program	Press the steam release button until it clicks into place and allows steam to be released.
noPr	Working pressure is not reached during the pre-heating cycle.	If the lid is leaking steam, find out why the Instant Pot is not sealing. If there is no steam leaking and you have frozen food in the Instant Pot, try restarting the current program.
C1	Faulty temperature sensor	Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
C2	Faulty temperature sensor	Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
C5	Temperature is too high either because the inner pot is missing or there’s not enough liquid in the inner pot	Make sure the inner pot is placed properly in the base unit and make sure there is enough liquid in the inner pot – the recommended amount is a minimum of 2 cups.
C6	Faulty pressure sensor	Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
C6L	Faulty low-pressure sensor	Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
C6H	Faulty high-pressure sensor	Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
C7	Not enough liquid	Add 2 cups of thin, water-based liquid to the inner pot.
	Steam release is in Vent position	Flick the steam release button/knob clockwise to Seal.
	Saute function is too hot	Change the Saute temperature level to Low or press Cancel every so often to cool the Instant Pot down while sauteing.

Duo Crisp Air Fryer Recipes to Try

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Here are the top reasons for your Instant Pot not sealing.  This guide helps you troubleshoot a common problem most Instant Pot users encounter: the Instant Pot won’t come to pressure. Learn how to seal your Instant Pot correctly the first time, and how to avoid the issue.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.

Pressure Release Valve Parts 

Here are some of the parts that I refer to throughout this article. The steam release mechanism varies by Instant Pot model; some newer models may look slightly different.

• Float Valve: a metal pin that pops up once the Instant Pot has pressurized.
• Steam Release Valve: Steam is released through the vents in the steam release valve. It’s also referred to as the Instant Pot pressure valve, pressure release valve, or venting knob.
• Steam Release Handle: Steam is released through the vents in the steam release handle. To seal the Instant Pot pressure cooker, turn this pressure knob to the Sealing position, and to release pressure, move it to the Venting position. The steam release handle is sometimes referred to as the Instant Pot venting knob or pressure valve.
• Steam Release Button: Click it counterclockwise to spring it up into the Sealing position. To release pressure, push the button until it clicks down into place in the Venting position.
• Steam Release Switch: To put it in Sealing mode, slide it into the Seal position. To release pressure, slide it into the Vent position.

• Silicone Sealing Ring: a flexible ring that creates a seal between the Instant Pot’s base unit and the lid, allowing pressure to build up and pressurize the Instant Pot. It’s also referred to as a gasket.
• Float Valve: a metal pin covered with a silicone cover on the inside of the lid, which keeps it in place. It can be removed and cleaned.
• Anti-block Shield: metal cover that prevents food particles from entering and blocking the steam release pipe. The anti-block shield covers the exhaust valve and can be removed and cleaned.

Why Is Your Instant Pot Not Sealing?

One of the most common issues people encounter with Instant Pot (aka Instapot) is that their Instant Pot won’t pressurize or seal.

This happens to me, and I’m sure it happens to most electric pressure cooker users. Usually, it’s an easy fix!

New Instant Pot users, in particular, have difficulty troubleshooting what’s wrong when their Instant Pot is not sealing. They may think that the pressure sensor is busted or something is wrong with the unit.

If the countdown timer has begun and the float valve is not rising, the Instant Pot won’t seal.

If the Instant Pot is not pressurizing but counting down, timer has begun and the float valve is not rising, the Instant Pot won’t seal.

I’ve compiled a list of possible reasons why your Instant Pot is not pressurizing. You’ll most likely be able to troubleshoot your issue in one of the following cases.

Another common problem when the Instant Pot is trying to come to full pressure is the Burn or Food Burn Message, so I encourage you to read that article too!

Should steam come out of the Instant Pot when pressurizing?

Yes, steam will escape from the steam release and float valves until the Instant Pot is sealed.

When you initially program the Instant Pot to pressure cook, the display says On. After a few minutes (anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the quantity and temperature of the food), you’ll see steam coming out of the pressure release (steam release) handle and/or float valve on the top of the lid. This is perfectly normal.

After some hissing, steaming, and hesitation, the float valve usually rises to the Up position, and the Instant Pot is sealed. After a few minutes, the display should start counting down from the number of minutes you programmed the Instant Pot to pressure cook.

Should steam come out of the Instant Pot once sealed?

No heavy steam should come out once the float valve is in the sealing position (up position).

However, I have occasionally seen tiny wisps of steam when it’s sealed, and this is not a cause for concern. This usually happens when cooking something with a lot of liquid, such as soup.

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1. The Instant Pot Pressure Valve is in Venting Position

Different models of Instant Pot have different pressure release mechanisms.

• Steam Release Handle: The venting knob can be turned from Venting to Sealing.
• Steam Release Button: When the button is up, it seals, and when it’s down, it vents.
• Steam Release Switch: The switch can go from Vent to Seal.

When using the Instant Pot for something other than Slow Cook, Yogurt, or Sous Vide, the pressure release needs to be in the Sealing position.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and make sure there’s enough liquid. If too much liquid has evaporated, the Instant Pot won’t pressurize, so add more liquid if necessary. Close the Instant Pot, ensure it’s in Sealing position, and resume pressure cooking.

If you have trouble closing the lid, it’s probably because the contents are hot. Move the steam release handle to the Venting position and make sure the lid is properly closed. Then, move the steam release handle to the Sealing position.

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2. The Silicone Sealing Ring (Sealing Gasket) is not Properly Seated

If the ring cannot be rotated around in the sealing ring rack, it’s not seated correctly. You should be able to turn it in place, maybe with a bit of effort.  If the sealing ring hasn’t been installed correctly, you may find that steam is leaking out of the sides of the lid.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and push down the sealing ring all the way around the ring rack to make sure it’s properly seated. Then, try turning it in the ring rack. It should move/rotate around the ring rack. A new sealing ring can be harder to move, but you should be able to.

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4. Not Enough Liquid in Instant Pot to Build Pressure

This is one of the most common Instant Pot issues when it’s trying to come to pressure. According to the official manual, the Instant Pot requires at least 1 cup of liquid. I’ve used as little as ½ cup and done fine with many Instant Pot recipes. Remember that it needs to be thin liquid such as water, broth, lemon juice, and soy sauce.

Some liquids like canned tomato sauce are too dense and require thinning out with broth or water. If your Instant Pot isn’t sealing, this is one of the more common reasons.

SOLUTION: Add more water or broth. If the final result is a dish that’s too thin or liquidy, you can use the Saute function and let the liquid reduce and thicken, or you can add a thickener like cornstarch, flour, potato flakes, etc.

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 5. Food is Scorched at the Bottom of the Inner Pot

If food is scorched on the bottom of the pot, the liquid won’t make contact with the bottom, and the Instant Pot won’t build steam. Here are a few of the reasons food gets scorched on the bottom of the Instant Pot:

• After browning or sauteing, if browned bits are sticking to the bottom of the pot, you need to deglaze the pot. Deglazing involves adding liquid (e.g., water, broth) to the heated pot and stirring to allow the browned bits to come free.
• The liquid is too thick. This can happen with thick sauces such as tomato sauce, mole sauce, or pasta sauce. Thick sauces should be placed at the top without stirring them in, and you can also thin them out with water or broth.
• Starchy foods are making contact with the bottom of the inner pot. Starchy foods, such as pasta, rice, etc., should be layered on top of other ingredients without stirring them in.
•  The Instant Pot is overfilled with food and there isn’t enough room for the liquid to circulate.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot, transfer the contents to a large bowl, and clean the inner pot by scraping it with a plastic or wooden scraper. (You might even need to soak it with warm water and dish detergent for a bit.)  

I have several of these pan scrapers that work well. Once the inner pot is clean, resume cooking, but add more liquid.  

[Read More about layering problem ingredients such as sauces, pasta, rice, etc.]

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6. The Sealing Ring has Expanded Too Much and Instapot Won’t Seal Properly

The sealing ring naturally expands when it’s heated. Once cool, it should return to its natural state. If you’ve just finished cooking something, the sealing ring may still be in its expanded state, preventing the Instant Pot from sealing.

SOLUTION: Try placing the Instant Pot sealing ring in the freezer or running it under cold water to contract it. You can also try turning the sealing ring over and replacing it.

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 7. Instant Pot Sealing Ring has Debris or Food

The Instant Pot sealing ring must be clean to create a proper seal.

SOLUTION: Make sure no food is stuck to the sealing ring and clean it with soap and water.

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8. Too Much Water has Evaporated Before Problem was Fixed

If the pot wasn’t initially sealed properly and you corrected the problem, it’s possible that too much liquid evaporated, leaving the pot without enough liquid in the pot to create the required steam. This can cause the Instant Pot to not pressurize.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and check the quantity of liquid. You need ½ cup to 1 cup. Add more liquid if necessary.

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9. The Sealing Ring is Damaged or Torn

If your seal is heavily used or pulled on too hard, it can wear out or tear, and you may need a new seal.

SOLUTION: Purchase a new sealing ring. Keeping a spare sealing ring on hand is always a good idea.

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10. Timer Function was Used Instead of Manual or Pressure Cook

Some older models of the Instant Pot have a Timer button. The Timer button allows you to set a delayed start time. When you press the timer button, the time that shows up is the number of hours until cooking starts. So, if your Instant Pot timer is not starting, this could be the reason.

SOLUTION: Press Cancel to cancel the timer. Select Manual or Pressure Cook mode (or another cooking option, e.g., Poultry or Meat) and wait a few seconds for the Instant Pot display to change to On. If you wish to use the timer functionality, select the cooking function (e.g., Manual, Pressure Cook, Poultry) first, then press Timer or Delay Start (on newer models).

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11. The Instant Pot Lid Area or Liner is Dirty

The Instant Pot lid and the area where it fits on the base unit need to be clean and free of food debris.

If food is stuck to the rim of the Instant Pot inner pot, the seal will not be tight when you close the Instant Pot lid, and steam can escape.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot lid and use a cloth or clean toothbrush to wipe around the rim of the Instant Pot lid and the base unit. Thoroughly clean the inside, outside, and rim of the inner pot.

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12. The Instant Pot Float Valve or Anti-Block Shield Has Debris

When you cook pasta or other messy foods, the Instant Pot valve and anti block shield can become dirty and obstructed.

SOLUTION: Remove the anti-block shield and float valve and clean with a clean toothbrush and soapy water.  Clean the hole that the float valve goes into with a brush or pipe cleaner.  Clean all parts of the lid.  Dry well and replace the parts.
See my  Instant Pot Beginner’s Guide to find out how to remove these.

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13. Food is Frozen

Frozen food takes longer to cook, and the Instant Pot takes longer to come to pressure.

SOLUTION: If you’ve added frozen food to the pot, wait a bit longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal. If you’re cooking a large quantity of frozen food, I recommend thawing it first, because it will take a very long time to come to pressure and cook!

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14. Large Quantity of Liquid in Instant Pot

If you’re making soup or cooking a larger quantity of food in the Instant Pot, you may have a lot of liquid.  The more liquid you have, the longer it takes for the Instant Pot to seal.

You also need to ensure that your ingredients do not exceed the Max Fill mark (⅔ full). For foods that expand (e.g., rice, beans, and pasta), you should not exceed the ½ full mark.

SOLUTION: Wait longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal. If you’re above the recommended max fill lines, split up the recipe and cook it in two batches.

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15. The Float Valve is Up, but Instant Pot Just Says On and the Countdown Timer Not Starting

If the Instant Pot just says ‘On,’ it could be because there is a delay between the float valve rising up and the timer starting to countdown.

I’ve had this happen when I’ve used less liquid than is recommended. The Instant Pot comes to pressure, and the float valve comes up, but the display says ‘On‘ and never counts down. In my case, it was just a one-time thing.

SOLUTION: Wait a bit to let the timer begin. The float valve coming up locks the lid but the Instant Pot may need more time to pressurize in order for the timer to start. If the ‘On‘ never changes to counting down, you must set an external timer and press Cancel when the time’s up. Try doing a water test to make sure the problem doesn’t recur. If the problem persists, open a support ticket.

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16. The Power Cord is Loose

Some Instant Pots have detachable power cords. The power cord needs to be pushed into the base unit all the way.  It can come loose if you move the Instant Pot or accidentally bump it.

SOLUTION: Push the power cord all the way into the base unit. Also, make sure the power cord is securely attached to the wall outlet. Test the outlet to make sure it is working with another appliance or an electrical outlet tester.

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17. The Wrong Size Inner Pot was Used

If you have multiple Instant Pots of different sizes, you may be using the wrong stainless steel inner pot/liner. The 6-quart inner pot fits into the 8-quart Instant Pot. It’s an easy mistake and a common issue!

SOLUTION: Make sure you use the correct inner pot.

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18. The Float Valve is Missing

If you remove the float valve while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, you may forget to replace it.

SOLUTION: Put the float valve back in and replace the silicone cover.

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19. The Steam Release Handle is Missing

If you remove the steam release handle while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, you may forget to replace it.

SOLUTION: Put the steam release handle back onto the lid and push it down to make sure it’s properly seated on the steam release pipe.

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20. The Lid Locking Pin is Stuck

The spring-loaded pin (lid locking pin) on the rim at the back of the lid could be stuck in the retracted position and this means your Instant Pot lid won’t close properly.

SOLUTION: Push on it from the inside and outside of the lid or gently jiggle it to get the spring mechanism to reset the pin.

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21. The Exhaust Valve is Loose

In rare cases, the exhaust valve inside the anti-block shield can become loose, such as during shipping.

SOLUTION: Carefully tighten the valve so it’s not loose anymore.  Don’t overly tighten it.

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22. The Steam Release Handle is Not Properly Seated

If you remove the Instant Pot steam release valve or handle while cleaning the lid, it may not be put back correctly. It needs to be pushed in all the way. If it isn’t securely seated, steam will leak from the valve or handle.

SOLUTION: Push in the Steam Release Valve and move it from Sealing to Venting a few times so it sits properly.

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23. Instant Pot Display Says noPr

If the Instant Pot is showing the noPr error message, it could be that it couldn’t reach a high enough temperature during the pre-heating stage. This could be due to the quantity of food or liquid, frozen ingredients, or any of the reasons in this article.

SOLUTION: If you’re not making any of the above mistakes but get the noPr error, press Cancel and try restarting the pressure cooking program again.

24. Instant Pot Leaking Steam Even Though the Float Valve is Up

There’s a metal safety clip inside some older pressure release valves. It appears to prevent the Instant Pot from overpressurizing.

Unfortunately, this metal ring can get bent over time or through shipping. This causes the steam release handle to tilt in the sealing position as if it were set to the Venting, allowing steam to escape.

Newer models of the steam release handle and sealing valve do not have this problem since they now have a silicone retaining ring that prevents them from being improperly seated on the steam release pipe, thus creating a good seal.

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25. No Liquid for Pot in Pot Cooking

The pot-in-pot cooking method is used for cakes, eggs, lasagna, and other dishes that require steaming. If you don’t add water to the bottom of the pot, it will not come to pressure.

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I hope this Instant Pot troubleshooting guide has helped you find out the reason for your Instant Pot float valve not sealing so you can get back to cooking your favorite Instant Pot recipes. Over time and with experience, you should encounter this problem less frequently.  

If you continue to have issues with the Instant Pot not pressurizing, try to do a water test to see if it’s an issue with your unit. If the water test fails, you should either return the Instant Pot to the place of purchase or contact Instant Pot customer service to file a support ticket.

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Troubleshoot Common Instant Pot Problems

Find out some of the frequently encounter Instant Pot problems and how to fix them. From the burn message to error codes, these resources will help you out.

There are many Instant Pot symbols and icons that appear on the display panel. It can get confusing because they vary from model to model. In this guide, I tell you what the display panel fields, symbols, and icons mean on every Instant Pot model.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.

Instant Pot Duo Nova Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Nova model has a pretty simple display. [Find out more about how to use the Instant Pot Duo Nova]

1. Heating
   Icon with flame under a pot means the element is heating.
2. Pressure Cooking
   Icon of a pot with the letter P means pressure cooking is in progress.
3. Keep Warm
   Icon of a thermometer means Keep Warm mode is on.
4. Sound
   Speaker symbol means the sound is on. A speaker with X next to it means the sound is off.
5. Time/Status Message
   Shows the Cook time, Delay Start time, Keep Warm time, or Status Message.
6. Smart Program Mode
   Shows whether Less, Normal or More is selected, which indicates how long to cook (with some exceptions such as Yogurt mode)
7. Pressure level
   Shows whether Low or High pressure has been selected

Instant Pot Duo Plus Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Duo Plus model has a pretty simple display, similar to the Duo Nova.

1. Heating
   Icon of flame under a pot means the element is heating
2. Pressure Cooking
   Icon of a pot with the letter P means pressure cooking is in progress.
3. Keep Warm
   Icon of a thermometer means Keep Warm mode is on.
4. Sound
   Icon of a speaker means the sound is on. A speaker with X next to it means the sound is off.
5. Time/Status Message
   Shows the Cook time, Delay Start time, Keep Warm time, or Status Message.
6. Smart Program Mode
   Shows whether Less, Normal or More is selected, which indicates how long to cook (with some exceptions such as Yogurt mode).
7. Pressure Level
   Shows whether Low or High pressure has been selected.

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus model has a fairly complex display, but once you understand how to use it, you’ll be able to easily program it. [Find out more about how to use the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus and its advanced features]

1. Sound
   The speaker icon is displayed when the sound is turned on. If the sound is off, the speaker icon will have a line through it.
2. Delay timer
   This clock icon is displayed when the Delay Start button has been pressed.
3. Keep warm
   The icon of a pot with steam coming out shows up when the Keep Warm button has been pressed.
4. Unit of Temperature
   The thermometer icon with F and C shows whether the temperature is displayed in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
5. Progress Bar
   Shows Pre-heating, Cooking, and Keep Warm progress.
6. Time/Status Message
   Shows the Cook time, Delay Start time, Keep Warm time, or Status Message.
7. Pressure
   Shows whether the pressure level is set to None, Low or High pressure.
8. Temperature
   Shows whether the temperature setting is Custom, Low or High.
9. Presets
   Different presets are displayed depending on the smart program that was chosen.

Instant Pot Pro Crisp Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Pro Crisp model has a fairly complex display, but once you understand how to use it, you’ll be able to easily program it. It’s very similar to the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus.

1. Sound
   The speaker icon is displayed when the sound is turned on. If the sound is off, the speaker icon will have a line through it.
2. Delay timer
   This clock icon is displayed when the Delay Start button has been pressed.
3. Keep warm
   The icon of a pot with steam coming out shows up when the Keep Warm button has been pressed.
4. Air fryer
   The fan symbol shows that the Air Fryer smart program is in use.
5. Progress Bar
   Shows Pre-heating, Cooking, and Keep Warm progress.
6. Time/Status Message
   Shows the Cook time, Delay Start time, Keep Warm time, or Status Message.
7. Sous Vide and Air Fryer Temperature
   Displays the temperature in Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C) during Sous Vide or Air Fry modes.
8. Pressure
   Shows whether the pressure level is set to None, Low or High pressure.
9. Temperature
   Shows whether the temperature setting is Low, High or Custom.

Instant Pot Max Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Max model has one of the more complex displays, so here is a summary of all the different parts of the display to help you decode the symbols.

1. Pressure
   The pressure indicator symbol is on when the pressure cooker is still pressurized. The lid is locked and cannot be removed when the icon is on.
2. Adjust Settings
   The gear with a lock symbol shows that settings cannot be adjusted. Touching the gear when the Instant Pot Max is in Standby mode will make the lock disappear and allow the settings to be changed.
3. Unit of Temperature
   Touching the thermometer icon with F and C allows you to change the unit of temperature between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
4. Altitude
   Touching the mountain icon lets you toggle between feet (ft) and meters (m) and set your altitude. The Instant Pot Max will adjust cook time based on the setting.
5. Sound
   Touching the speaker icon allows you to toggle the sound on and off.
6. Progress Bar
   Shows Pre-heat, Cook, and Keep Warm progress.
7. Time/Status Message
   HH:MM (H=hour, M=minute).
   – Shows Clock when the Instant Pot Max is in Standby mode. Touch the Hour field to change the hour and touch the Minute field to change the minutes.
   – Shows Cook time, Delay Start time, or Keep Warm time when Instant Pot is in operation. – This section also displays Status Messages.
8. AM/PM and ft/m
   – AM or PM is shown when the clock is displayed.
   – When altitude is being displayed, either feet (ft) or meters (m) will be shown, depending on what unit you’ve selected.
9. Pressure
   Touching the pressure bar icons allows you to set the pressure to Low, High, or Max pressure.
10. Temperature
    Touching the temperature field allows you to toggle between Low, High, and Custom. This field also displays the temperature for Sous Vide, Canning, and Custom temperature settings.
11. Keep Warm
    Touching the icon of a pot with steam coming out allows you to turn the Keep Warm function on and off.
12. Venting
    There are three Instant Pot Max venting symbols that allow you to select the venting method. The circle with a line through it is for Natural Release (NR). The dotted circle symbol is for pulse or intermittent release (PR). The solid circle is for quick release (QR).
    [Find out more about the different pressure release methods.]
13. Delay Start
    To set a delayed start, touch the Delay field. When the Delay function is on, the clock icon on the right will show the second hand ticking.

Instant Pot Ultra Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Ultra model doesn’t have any icons, but it does have a display panel with a lot of information. Here’s a summary of the display panel. [Find out more about how to use the Instant Pot Ultra]

1. Time/Status Message
   Shows the Cook time, Delay Start time, Keep Warm time, or Status Message.
2. Pressure
   Shows whether the pressure level is set to None, Low or High pressure.
3. Temp.
   Shows whether the temperature setting is Low, Medium, High or Custom.
4. Delay
   Shows whether Delay Start is On or Off.
5. Keep Warm
   Shows whether Keep Warm function is On or Off.
6. Sound
   Shows whether the Sound is On or Off.
7. Temp. Unit
   Shows whether Temperature is being displayed in Celsius (C) or Fahrenheit (F).
8. Alt
   Shows whether Altitude unit is feet (ft) or meters (m).

Instant Pot Smart WiFi Symbols and Icons

The Instant Pot Smart WiFi model has a display that’s similar to the Duo Plus, but with a few WiFi-related extras.

1. WiFi
   The WiFi icon will display when WiFi is enabled.
2. Heating
   Icon of flame under a pot means the element is heating
3. Pressure Cooking
   Icon of a pot with the letter P means pressure cooking is in progress.
4. Keep Warm
   Icon of a thermometer means Keep Warm mode is on.
5. Sound
   Icon of a speaker means the sound is on. A speaker with X next to it means the sound is off.
6. Time/Status Message
   Shows the Cook time, Delay Start time, Keep Warm time, or Status Message.
7. Timers
   Timer 1 shows when the first timer is being programmed and Timer 2 is displayed with the second timer is being programmed.
8. AM/PM
   The Instant Pot Smart Wifi allows the current time to be set with a 12-hour clock that shows AM or PM.
9. Pressure Level
   Shows whether High or Low pressure has been selected.
10. Smart Program Mode
    Shows whether More, Normal or Less is selected, which indicates how long to cook (with some exceptions such as Yogurt mode).
11. Script Running
    The symbol with arrows in a circle indicates that a script is running.

Status Messages

There are many different types of messages and information that appear on the display panel.

Status Message	Meaning
Auto	The Rice smart program is running.
OFF	The Instant Pot is in Standby mode.
Lid	The Instant Pot lid is not secure or the lid is on during Saute mode.
On	The Instant Pot is preheating.
Boil	The Yogurt smart program is in Pasteurize mode.
Hot	The inner pot is hot enough to add food during the Saute smart program.
00:00 – 99:99	In Delay Start mode – a countdown timer that displays how long until the selected smart program starts. On some models with a clock, this number may be the actual start time. During cooking – a countdown timer that displays the cooking time left in the selected smart program. In Keep Warm mode – a count-up timer that displays the length of time that food has been warming.
End	Smart program has completed.
Burn or Food Burn	The pressure cooker cannot come to pressure because there isn’t enough liquid or food has burned and is stuck to the bottom of the inner pot. Find out more about the Instant Pot Food Burn Message.
No Pr	There is not enough pressure.
PrSE	There is excess pressure.
C #	The letter C followed by a number indicates that an error has occurred. For more details see Instant Pot Common Problems.